High Proof Ashes Podcast - Bourbon and Cigars Unite!
by High Proof Ashes
Welcome to the High Proof Ashes podcast, where we harmonize fine cigars with exquisite spirits. In every episode, we introduce a new cigar and pair it with 1-2 spirits, predominantly bourbon and whiskey, but occasionally other delightful options. Our hallmark is unscripted authenticity, guaranteeing you the most natural and engaging conversations. So, relax, ignite a cigar, pour your preferred spirit, and join us for delightful discussions, laughter, and, of course, the enjoyment of delectable smokes and sips.
Episodes
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Four Roses 2024 Limited Edition & Rare Pink - Long Finishes & Fuente Debates - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 128
This week on High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into one of the most talked-about pours of the year — the Four Roses 2024 Limited Edition. Known for its annual small-batch craftsmanship, this release blends multiple aged recipes into a rich, layered bourbon that delivers deep fruit, oak, and spice……
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Southern Star Paragon & Arturo Fuente Rare Pink - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 127
This week on High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into a heavy hitter from Red Hot Liquors with a barrel pick of Southern Star Paragon — a barrel strength wheated bourbon that brings big proof, rich sweetness, and that soft wheated profile that always sparks debate at the table. Paired with it is...
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Copper & Cask Cigar Blend & Purple People Eater - Experiments, Knicks, & March Madness - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 126
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re putting the spotlight on the Copper & Cask Cigar Blend — a bold 7-year bourbon coming in just under 120 proof. This blend is specifically crafted to stand up to a cigar, bringing rich oak, deep caramel, and layered spice that doesn’t get lost when paired...
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Purple People Eater with Park & Tilford – A New Lounge Takes Shape - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 125
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we crack into one of the more mysterious releases from the Privada Cigar Club — the Purple People Eater. This limited cigar is distributed through LCA (Limited Cigar Association) lounges, meaning it’s only available to those subscribed lounges that carry...
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Shortbarrel Cigar Batch Battle: 2024 vs 2025 + Budget Smoke Breakdown - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 124
On this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re putting two heavy hitters head-to-head in a true side-by-side showdown: Shortbarrel Cigar Batch 2024 vs Shortbarrel Cigar Batch 2025. Shortbarrel’s Cigar Batch releases are built specifically to stand up to bold, full-flavored cigars. These blends are...
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Burton James Bourbon with a Savage Twist - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 123
This episode is all about the thrill of the hunt. We’re cracking open another Kentucky Bourbon Fest pickup—Burton James Bourbon, a bottle that never leaves the state of Kentucky and caught our attention for being both solid and fairly priced while wandering the festival grounds. Sometimes the…
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River Roots & Maduro Notes: Single Barrel Stories with Red Hot Liquors Pick - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 122
This week on High Proof Ashes, we dive into a true boutique bourbon experience with a single barrel pick from River Roots Barrel Co. 10 yrs old Kentucky Bourbon sourced at Red Hot Liquors. River Roots Barrel Company is a Cleveland, OH - based spirits curator dedicated to hand-selecting top-tier...
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Pinhook 9 vs 10: One Year Makes a Difference & Rocky Patel 20th Maduro - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 121
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we put the Pinhook Vertical Series Bourbon 9 Year head-to-head with the 10 Year in a mini bourbon battle. Same series, just one year apart—but the difference in flavor, balance, and character might surprise you. We break down where that extra year shows up and...
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Brothers of the Leaf Toasted French Oak & LFD Super Bowl 2025 - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 120
This week on High Proof Ashes, we’re pouring Brothers of the Leaf Toasted Batch 1, a Kentucky-only bourbon finished in toasted French oak casks that gives this release a deeper sweetness and a refined edge. The French oak brings out waves of vanilla cream, warm pastry, light caramel, and a subtle...
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A Kentucky-Only Pour: Burton James Single Barrel & the Casa Cuba Flora Fina Continues - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 119
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into a bottle you can only find in the Bluegrass State—Burton James Single Barrel Bourbon from the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. This limited Kentucky-only brand brings a classic profile with a warm sweetness, seasoned oak, and a surprising depth for…
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Kentucky Souvenir Pour: Buzzard’s Roost Char #1 & the Return of Casa Cuba - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 118
This week on High Proof Ashes, we’re pouring one we brought home from our trip to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival — Buzzard’s Roost Char #1 Bourbon. Aged in lightly toasted, #1-char barrels, this whiskey highlights the brand’s unique approach to flavor: soft vanilla, layered oak, and subtle spice,...
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Canadian Surprise: Found North 18-Year Meets Jefferson’s Cask Strength & ATL Wise Blood - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 117
This week on High Proof Ashes, we’re pouring something that’ll catch you off guard — Found North Batch 011, an 18-year Canadian whisky that drinks nothing like you’d expect. Rich, complex, and layered with depth, it’s proof that great whiskey doesn’t always have to come from Kentucky. Alongside…
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Penelope Project X & Oliva V Melanio Maduro | High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 116
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re pouring one of Penelope’s most intriguing limited releases — Project X, finished in rich Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks. This bourbon takes Penelope’s classic four-grain profile and layers on deep notes of dried fruit, dark honey, toasted oak, and just...
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Monk’s Road Wheated Barrel Proof - Rattle & Snap - Micallef Black Cigar Pairing - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 115
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into two bourbons we handpicked during our Kentucky Bourbon Festival trip — both crafted by the team at Log Still Distillery in Gethsemane, Kentucky. First up is a Monk’s Road Wheated Single Barrel, bottled at high proof — something you don’t see...
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Bluegrass Elkwood Reserve 10 Year & Gurkha Grand Age 2 Maduro – High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 114
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into a unique pour and a cigar with a reputation. For the pour, we’ve got Bluegrass Elkwood Reserve Spanish Oaked 10 Year—a Kentucky bourbon finished with Spanish oak influence. This expression brings out deep, layered notes and if you’re a fan of...
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Chattanooga 13th Anniversary & Bhatka Rye Blend - Viaje Honey and Hand Grenades - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 113
This week on High Proof Ashes, we’ve got a lineup that packs a punch in both glass and hand. 🥃 Chattanooga Whiskey Founders 13th Anniversary – A special release from Chattanooga that celebrates 13 years of pushing Tennessee whiskey forward with bold, high-malt character. 🥃 Bhatka Red Hot Store...
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The REAL Review of Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2025 - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 112
This week’s High Proof Ashes is a little different—no featured cigar, just us sitting down for a long pour and giving you the REAL review of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. 🍻 We take you behind the scenes of our KBF trip: what we did, where we went, and the unforgettable experiences around...
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1792 Full Proof Bourbon & LFD La Volcada Cigar – High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 111
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re pouring 1792 Full Proof Bourbon, a bold, high-octane expression from Barton 1792 Distillery that delivers rich caramel, spice, and oak with an unmistakable full-bodied punch. To pair with it, we light up the LFD La Volcada from La Flor Dominicana—a...
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Elmer T. Lee Bourbon & Espinosa Crema Revisited – High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 110
We’re taking it back with a true classic this week. For the pour, we’ve got the legendary Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon—a highly sought-after bottle that delivers rich caramel, vanilla, and spice in every sip. On the cigar side, we’re revisiting the Espinosa Crema, a smooth and creamy smoke…
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Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled in Bond & ATL Wise Blood Cigar - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 109
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into a bourbon that’s been buzzing in the whiskey world — the Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled in Bond. This wheated bourbon from Heaven Hill carries the Bottled-in-Bond pedigree, offering classic sweet and smooth wheater notes, but with the layered...
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Knob Creek Bourye & Dettling Single Barrel – Liga Privada H99 Flying Pig Pairing - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 108
We’re back with a loaded lineup of spirits and smokes! First up, we crack into the newly released Knob Creek Bourye, a unique blend of bourbon and rye that’s making waves for its balance of rich sweetness and rye spice. From there, we pour a store pick from Red Hot Liquor — a nearly 5-year-old...
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Still Austin Cask Strength & Old Forester Single Barrel 100 — La Galera 85th Anniversary CT - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 107
We’re back with two bold spirits and a classy cigar in hand! This episode features: 🥃 Still Austin Cask Strength – If you caught our fresh crack short, get ready for a verydifferent take. One of us flat-out goes off about this bottle, and let’s just say… it gets passionate. 🥃 Old Forester…
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Knob Creek Rye 10 Yr & ASW Fiddler Chin Music | La Galera 85th Broadleaf - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 106
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into some rare territory — both in spirits and cigars. We light up the La Galera 85th Anniversary Broadleaf, a limited edition blend crafted by Tabacalera Palma in the Dominican Republic to celebrate their 85 years in the cigar world. This is a...
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Lalibela by Black Star Line + Red Hot Maker’s Mark Private Selection | High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 105
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we light up the Lalibela by Black Star Line Cigars, a boutique blend with a bold mission. Named after the sacred Ethiopian city of rock-hewn churches, this cigar is rich with symbolism—and flavor. Black Star Line, founded by Chicago firefighter Aric Bey, has...
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Low Proof Wheated Bourbon Blind! | Maker’s, Weller, Woodford & More Face Off! High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 104
No cigars this time — because it’s BLIND TASTING time again on High Proof Ashes! In this episode, we’re diving into a low proof wheated bourbon blind featuring some familiar favorites and hidden gems: • Maker’s Mark 101 • Shady Mile Wheated Bourbon • Monk’s Road Wheated • ASW Fiddler Wheated •...
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Pursuit Double Oaked Bourbon & Rye - Joya Quattro Cinco Cigar - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 103
This week on the High Proof Ashes Podcast, we pop the cork on two expressions from Pursuit Spirits: • Pursuit United Double Oaked Bourbon: A blend of 3 mash bills finished in Kelvin Cooperage barrels. Expect rich caramel, oak, and spice. • Pursuit United Double Oaked Rye: Made from 100% rye and...
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Ultra Black & Ultra Bold - Escobar Cigar + Stagg Vertical & Cigar Tar Talk - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 102
This week on High Proof Ashes, we lit up the Escobar Ultra Black, a bold box-pressed toro made in collaboration with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. This limited release features a Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper, Habano binder, and 5-year-aged Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers — delivering a deep, rich...
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Old Carter Batch 12 & Ratzilla at Ocoee – Rare Bourbon Meets Bold Drew Estate Smoke - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 101
We’re back at Ocoee Cigar Lounge with another bold pour and an equally bold smoke. Up first: Old Carter Straight Bourbon Batch 12—a highly sought-after release from one of the most buzzed-about names in American whiskey. Known for their meticulously blended, high-proof offerings, Batch 12…
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Episode 100: Bourbon Panel, Big Laughs & Even Bigger Pours | High Proof Ashes Milestone Special
We’ve officially hit 100 episodes of High Proof Ashes! To celebrate, we brought together a panel of some of our closest friends and filmed in a special location that let us do something different. No cigars this time — just great whiskey, good company, and an honest conversation about bourbon,...
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Diamond Crown Maximus & Part 2 with Steven Cooke - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 99
We’re back for Part 2 with our guest Steven Cooke, and this one’s a full-bodied experience in every sense. This round, we’re smoking the Diamond Crown Maximus — a rich, full-strength cigar crafted with an oily Ecuadorian El Bajo sun-grown wrapper and a flavorful Dominican blend. It’s bold…
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Long Live the King & A Special Guest - Part 1 with Steven Cooke - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 98
We’re shaking things up on this episode of High Proof Ashes with a very special guest—Steven Cooke. There’s a big reason we invited him to join us, but you’ll have to tune in to hear the full story. (Trust us, it’s worth it.) For this occasion, we’re lighting up the Caldwell Long Live the King, a...
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Jack Daniel’s vs Smooth Ambler – Cask Strength Rye Battle at Ocoee with the Plasencia 149 - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 97
We’re on location at Ocoee Cigar Lounge for another flavorful episode of High Proof Ashes, and this time we’re going single barrel barrel-proof head-to-head with two standout rye whiskeys: • Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye – Bold, powerful, and uniquely Tennessee. This barrel-proof...
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Old Overholt Showdown & Chocolate Ice Cream Cigar | Privada Club Exclusive + 10 vs 11 Year Cask Strength Battle - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 96
On this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re diving into one of the most unique cigars we’ve ever lit up — the Chocolate Ice Cream from Privada Cigar Club. Known for their rare, small-batch drops and deep commitment to storytelling through cigars, Privada delivers something truly different with…
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Mule Kick & Bottled Bond: Crowned Heads Meets Old Fourth & Bees Knees IV - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 95
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re lighting up the Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick 2025 Edition—a bold, limited annual release that features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers, offering a rich profile of spice, earth, and dark fruit. For our spirits, we’re...
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Jamie Garcia, Wild Turkey 101 70th, and a Larceny Mashup at Kulture Cigar Lounge - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 94
We’re on location at Kulture Cigar Lounge in Dalton, GA for this week’s episode of High Proof Ashes! Today’s cigar is the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial, a bold Nicaraguan beauty wrapped in a dark Connecticut Broadleaf that brings rich notes of cocoa, espresso, and pepper. On the whiskey side, we...
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El Septimo Sacred Arts Michelangelo Cigar + Penelope Valencia & Old Forester 1924 Bourbon - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 93
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we spark up the El Septimo Sacred Arts Michelangelo—a premium cigar from the Sacred Arts Collection that’s just as complex as its namesake. This cigar is crafted with well-aged Costa Rican tobaccos and purports to deliver a profile of chocolate, espresso…
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Rocky Patel Number 6 + Bardstown Wheated Bourbon | A Surprising Weller Rival + New Riff Criteria Pour - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 92
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we light up the Rocky Patel Number 6—a flavorful blend that features a Honduran-grown Corojo wrapper, a Honduran binder, and fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua. Known for its natural sweetness and smooth, creamy profile, this cigar delivers a refined and...
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Leaf by Oscar Corojo & Two Criteria Bottles – High Proof Ashes Ep 91
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re back at one of our favorite spots, Ocoee Cigar Lounge, for a laid-back session filled with rich cigars and classic bourbons. Today’s cigar is the Leaf by Oscar Corojo, a unique smoke known for its rustic, tobacco-leaf outer wrapping that protects a...
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Rocky Patel Royale + Rebel 100 & Old Tub - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 90
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re lighting up the Rocky Patel Royale—a box-pressed cigar with a complex blend that includes an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, dual binders of Connecticut Shade and Broadleaf, and aged Nicaraguan fillers. It’s known for delivering rich flavor and a smooth draw...
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Crowned Heads & Shortbarrel Spirits – A Maduro & Bourbon Pairing - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 89
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we light up the Crowned Heads Cabinetta Maduro, a unique blend that combines an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper with a rich Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro foot, delivering a complex balance of creamy smoothness and bold cocoa notes. On the bourbon side…
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CAO Amazon Basin Extra Anejo & Old Glory Bourbon - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 88
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re finishing off a cigar that we believe is pound for pound, the best out there—the CAO Amazon Basin Extra Añejo. This unique cigar features a rare Brazilian Bragança tobacco, harvested only once every three years, with a deep, earthy complexity that makes…
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New Smokes, Rare Bourbon, and a Hidden Gem - Kulture Cigar Lounge - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 87
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re on location at Kulture Cigar Lounge in Dalton, GA, a brand-new lounge that’s quickly making a name for itself. Owned by Antoine, this spot brings a top-tier atmosphere to a city that’s becoming a real destination for cigar lovers. We even took a full…
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Liquor Store Tour Part 4: Finale: Exploring Red Hot in Cleveland, TN - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 86
Welcome back to High Proof Ashes! Today, we’re shaking things up for the last time in this series with another store visit episode! This is part four of a special four-part series where we visit liquor stores in Cleveland, TN. For this episode, we head to Red Hot on Wildwood Avenue, located near...
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Liquor Store Tour Part 3: Exploring G-Town in Cleveland, TN - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 85
Welcome back to High Proof Ashes! Today, we’re shaking things up with something a little different—another store visit episode! This is part three of a special four-part series where we visit liquor stores in Cleveland, TN. For this episode, we head to G-Town on Georgetown Road, located near the...
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Liquor Store Tour Part 2: Exploring Riverstone in Cleveland, TN - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 84
Welcome back to High Proof Ashes! Today, we’re shaking things up with something a little different—another store visit episode! This is part two of a special four-part series where we visit liquor stores in Cleveland, TN. For this episode, we head to Riverstone on Ocoee Crossing, located near the...
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Liquor Store Tour Part 1: Exploring Harry’s in Cleveland, TN - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 83
Welcome back to High Proof Ashes! Today, we’re shaking things up with something a little different—our very first store visit episode! This is part one of a special four-part series where we visit liquor stores in Cleveland, TN. For this episode, we head to Harry’s on Lee Highway, located on the...
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Joya De Nicaragua Cinco De Cinco and Booker’s Bourbon 2024-03 High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 82
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we’re lighting up the Joya De Nicaragua Cinco De Cinco cigar, a special blend created to celebrate the brand’s 55th anniversary. This medium-to-full-bodied cigar features a rich Nicaraguan Criollo wrapper, a Nicaraguan filler, and a Nicaraguan binder…
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Rocky Patel Sungrown Maduro + Our Russell’s Reserve Barrel Pick! High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 81
This episode of High Proof Ashes is all about surprises and special moments. We’re diving into the Rocky Patel Sungrown Maduro, a bold, full-bodied cigar with a rich Ecuadorian Sungrown Maduro wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and filler. Expect complex notes of chocolate, espresso, and a touch of...
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Zino Nicaragua & Booker’s Bourbon Duo: 2024-01 vs. -02 - High Proof Ashes Podcast Ep 80
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we dive into the world of contrasts, starting with the Zino Nicaragua cigar. At first glance, its lighter wrapper might suggest a mellow smoke—but does it deliver more than meets the eye? We break down the flavor profile of this modern blend, known for its...
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El Septimo Salvador Dali & Benchmark Bonded vs. E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof High Proof Ashes Ep 79
In this episode of High Proof Ashes, we light up the El Septimo Salvador Dali from the Sacred Arts Collection—a cigar that greets you with an intriguing floral aroma. But does that aroma carry through to the smoke? Tune in to find out as we break it all down. For our spirits, we’re diving into…
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About this show
Welcome to the High Proof Ashes podcast, where we harmonize fine cigars with exquisite spirits. In every episode, we introduce a new cigar and pair it with 1-2 spirits, predominantly bourbon and whiskey, but occasionally other delightful options. Our hallmark is unscripted authenticity, guaranteeing you the most natural and engaging conversations. So, relax, ignite a cigar, pour your preferred spirit, and join us for delightful discussions, laughter, and, of course, the enjoyment of delectable smokes and sips.
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